Decomplicated

Making better sense of everything. Decomplicated breaks down the daily headlines in Canada, so that you don't have to. Join hosts Rumneek Johal (@rumneeek) and Carol Eugene Park (@caroleugenepark) as they tell you why it's trending, and why you should care, in a daily newsletter and podcast.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Psychedelics have re-emerged as a popular topic for researchers and investors, creating a "psychedelics boom" both in microdosing and as medicine. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to discuss what she learned about psychedelics and microdosing.Thanks to today's guests: Glenda Tailfeathers (@glenda_aus), Tobias Zhuang, and Kelsey Ramsden (@KelseyRamsden) of MindCure Health (@MindCureHealth).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

“Blackfishing” is where non-Black influencers and celebrities mimic the features of Black women and take on Black aesthetics. Carol sat down with Rumneek to discuss what she learned about Blackfishing.Thanks to today's guest: Dr. Cheryl Thompson (@DrCherylT) from the School of Creative Industries and co-director at the Studio for Media Activism & Critical Thought at Ryerson University.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Women's day is meant to be a celebration. But this does not address the harm that liberal feminism and colonialism perpetuate against Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people in Canada. Rumneek (@rumneeek) and Carol (@caroleugenepark) connected with an Indigenous scholar, and an Indigenous activist to discuss what this day means, and what work still needs to be done.Thanks to today's guests: Dr. Robyn Bourgeois from Brock University (@brokeuniversity), and Lorelei Williams (@loreleiBIS604) of dance group Butterflies in Spirit (@ButterfliesBIS).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Travel restrictions have been in place since Canada introduced lockdown measures last March.  These restrictions aren't prohibitions but rather, strong recommendations against travelling internationally and domestically. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to talk about the "loopholes" of the travel rules on the one year anniversary of the pandemic.Thanks to today's guest: Cara Zwibel (@CaraZwibel) from Canadian Civil Liberties Association (@cancivlib), and Dr. Shazma Mithani (@shazmamithani) from Royal Alexandra and Stollery Children's Hospitals.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Some Canadians love the Royals, while others don't. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to talk about the relevance of the Royals and whether Canada could sever its ties with them.Thanks to today's guests: Sahil Morar (@SahilMorar1), and Dr. Carolyn Harris (@royalhistorian) from University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

White Supremacist organizations aren't just a problem in the U.S. It's time for Canada to confront the insidious nature of this threat right here in our own backyard. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to discuss the racism that permeates all facets of Canadian society. Thanks to today's guests: Peter Smith from the Canadian Anti Hate Network (@antihateca), and Dr. Barbara Perry from Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism in Ontario Tech University (@CHBEOntarioTech).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

The U.S. White House is an iconic piece of architecture. But can the same be said about Canada's Prime Minister's official residence?  Carol (@caroleugenepark) sat down with Rumneek (@rumneeek) to talk about where the Canadian prime minister's residence is, and why our current PM doesn't live there.Thanks to today's guest: Leslie Maitland from Heritage Ottawa (@HeritageOttawa); Alexis Michaud from the National Capital Commission (@NCC_CCN); Dr. David Gordon from the School of Urban and Regional Planning at Queen's University (@queensu); and fourth-year student Jessica Babe from Carleton's School of Architecture (@CarletonU_Arch).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

It's likely that many Canadians didn't learn about the stolen land on which the federal government buildings stand on. Why would we? It's not something many Canadians learn about on school field trips. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with two Algonquin scholars to talk about the land, which many Canadians know as the Ottawa-Gatineau area.Thanks to today's guests: Dr. Veldon Coburn (@VeldonCoburn) from University of Ottawa in their Institute of Indigenous Research studies (@uOttawa) and Dr. Lynn Gehl.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

These days, NFTs are all the rage. But why and for what? Carol (@caroleugenepark) sat down with Rumneek (@rumneeek) to talk about what NFTs are, and the pros and cons of purchasing them.Thanks to today's guests: public broadcaster Alan Cross (@alancross), William Johnson (@notionport) from Vancouver Tech Journal (@vantechjournal), and Moon Jerin (@jerinfm) from Doctrina. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

TikTok has been around for a while but it didn't become a popular mainstream app until the pandemic lockdown last year. This app is similar and yet unlike any other social media app. Carol (@caroleugenepark) sat down with Rumneek (@rumneeek) to talk about why this app is different from the rest, and how some Canadian creators are making money off of it. Thanks to today's guests: TikToker Sara Abdul Aziz, also known as Nutrient Matters, and TikToker Sarah Jenkins (@sarahjenkinsxo).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Elections. Times for debates, critical thought and uncomfortable conversations with relatives who don't share similar political beliefs and values.  But after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged the possibility of an early election, Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to discuss what that would mean for Canadians during a pandemic.Thanks to today's guests: Ricardo Tranjan (@ricardotranjan) from Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives in Ontario  (@ccpa_ont), and professor Amanda Bittner (@amandabittner) from Memorial University (@memorialU).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

It's been five years since the province of B.C. declared opioid-related overdose deaths as a public health emergency. Activists and advocates have been urging governments for the decriminalization of drugs. Yet, little has been done to implement this evidence-based approach. Carol sat down with Rumneek to talk about what the decriminalization of drugs would look like in practice.Thank you to today's experts: Scott Bernstein (@scott_bern) from the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (@CANdrugpolicy), and Caitlin Shane (@caitlin_Ona) from Pivot Legal Society (@pivotlegal). Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

To own or to rent? That would be the question, but for many Canadian millennials being a homeowner isn't as easy as it was during our parents' generation. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to talk about the likelihood of millennials owning a home. Thanks to today's guests for their insight: Jeffrey Nader & Devin Wagner from The Habistat (@TheHabistat), and Mandy Hansen (@MandyHansen1) from Insight Specialty Consulting.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

From Gamestop to the latest explosion in cryptocurrency: it feels like everyone is trying their hand at investing. But how do Canadian millennials begin investing? Carol (@caroleugenepark) sat down with Rumneek (@rumneeek) to talk about why it's important for millennials to begin investing. Thanks to today's guests: Peter Hodson, the founder of 5i Research (@5iresearchdotca), and TikToker Vasiliki Belegrinis, aka Passions2Profits.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews). 

From the romanticization of eating disorders on Tumblr to TikTok's viral “Nature's cereal”, how has the messaging around diet culture shaped misinformation and disordered eating? Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to talk about the problems with diet culture and the influence social media has on it. Thanks to today's guests: Buzzfeed's Scaachi Koul (@scaachi) and author Edith Bernier (@edithbernier_ca) for sharing their insight and commentary!Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

While Canada is set to ban single-use plastics, climate activists question the urgency of individual actions and push big governments, and companies to mobilize for change. Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with Carol (@caroleugenepark) to talk about the gaps and misunderstandings around recycling.Thanks to today's guests: plastics campaigner Ashley Wallis (@ashleyewallis) from Oceana Canada (@OceanaCAN), and climate justice activist Nam Topp-Nguyen from Extinction Rebellion (@ExtinctionR).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

As more Canadians receive their vaccines, alongside the rest of the Global North, governments consider vaccine passports as a way to reintroduce the possibility of travelling. Carol (@caroleugenepark) sat down with Rumneek to talk about what a vaccine passport would look like, and what the implications are of implementing one.Special thanks to today's guests: Dr. Stephanie Yanow, a global health professor at University of Alberta (@UAlberta), and Beth Potter (@potter_beth), the President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (@TIAC_AITC).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Since the last year, OnlyFans gained widespread popularity. But what is this platform, and how is it used? In today's episode, Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down with two Canadian sex workers about their experiences on OnlyFans, and the harm of romanticizing this line of work. Special thanks to today's guests: Madison Winter (@MadisonwinterTo), and Barbara Sarpong (@BlackDahliaYes).Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Welcome to our first bonus episode!  We decided to go a little... more candid than usual. Carol (@caroleugenepark) and Rumneek (@rumneeek) sat down in their respective closets and talked about why TF surprise vaccine pop up clinics in Surrey are a surprise and not as organized as they should be. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Millennials are NOT okay. We're hurting, struggling, and lonely. Carol (@caroleugenepark) sat down with Rumneek (@rumneeek) to talk about our not so great ✨mental health✨.Thank you so much to our guests:  Bryn de Chastelain (@BryndeC), a student leader and chair of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (@CASAACAE); Grace Dupasquier (@GraceDupasquier), director of advocacy for Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (@CASAACAE); and Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, director and founder of Silm Centre for Mental Health. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

OH! EM! GEE! There's a new media company in town & they're called Overstory Media Group!

Each day, Rumneek (@rumneeek) and Carol (@caroleugenepark) will discuss what they've learned from interviewing people and researching a story, as well as their unfiltered thoughts on the stories of the day.They're not going to sugarcoat what's happening, but we'll make sure you leave feeling more informed.  Make sure to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube so you don't miss a beat. 

Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) are back for Season 2 with one question: do we need an Asian heritage month when AAPI represents 50+ different groups? More importantly, who benefits from these homogeneous terms, and which groups of people are left out? Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Over the weekend, a video leaked of a CBC reporter chuckling with an RCMP officer about “brutalizing innocent children” at the Fairy Creek blockades, raising broader questions about the relationship between the police and the media. Protesters have been setting up blockades over the last few months to prevent the logging of old-growth forest on Vancouver Island. The land is part of the traditional territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation.  As of Monday, 53 people have been arrested as a result of the RCMP enforcing an injunction since last week.  In today's episode, Carol (@caroleugenepark) and Rumneek (@rumneeek) dive into the implications. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

After a number of Instagram and Twitter users were suspended for raising awareness about Palestine, Colombia, and #RedDressDay, Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) unpack the mess that is social media censorship.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Lower income, racialized people are disproportionately impacted by lack of paid sick leave, because they can't afford to take time off work. Carol (@caroleugenepark) and Rumneek (@rumneeek) talk about the different paid sick leave policies across Canada. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Social determinants of health help show where public health interventions are needed. Carol (@caroleugenepark) and Rumneek (@rumneeek) talk to The Tyee's Chris Cheung (@bychrischeung) about hot spot communities in B.C.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at decomplicated.comFollow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews)

Last week, the remains of 215 children were found on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) reflect on the horrific discovery and Canada's ongoing genocide of Indigenous Peoples.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

On the ongoing gang violence in B.C., Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) speak to a clinical counsellor in Surrey, who works with Surrey's Anti-Gang Family Empowerment Program.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) chat with the Burnaby Beacon's Managing Editor Simran Singh (@simranroohi) about the way we discuss gang violence and race in the Lower Mainland in British Columbia.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) speak to Palestinian-Canadian journalist Haneen Al-Hassoun (@haneenalhassoun) about the Canadian media's coverage of Israel & Palestine.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) speak with Darryl Leroux (@DarrylLeroux), professor at Saint Mary's University and author of Distorted Descent.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)break down what the new normal of post-pandemic dating could look like, and unpack some of the problems with dating app algorithms. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

As the nation continues to mourn the tragic murder of a Muslim family that was on their nightly walk in London, Ontario by a white domestic terrorist, there are larger conversations needed about the deep-rooted Islamophobia, anti-Muslim hate, and racism in Canada.Today, Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) talk about the systems in place that have allowed for anti-Muslim hate to prosper in Canada.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) unpack journalism's “love affair with objectivity,” and how this harms racialized journalists.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Comedian and Black Lives Matter YYC (@blmyyc) President Adora Nwofor joins Decomplicated for a conversation on racism and hate crimes in Alberta.If you like literally any of Decomplicated's episodes, we—(@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)—would LOVE it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Even better, tell a friend about us & y'all can be subbies together.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

Carol & Rumneek talk about Quebec's Bill 21, which bans those working in certain public jobs from wearing religious symbols.If you like literally any of Decomplicated's episodes, we—(@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)—would LOVE it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Even better, tell a friend about us & y'all can be subbies together.Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

It's not Thursday but we're here with our first THROWBACK episode. If you've been with us, you'll know this episode on the decriminalization of drugs is from season 1!We wanted to air this one again because the conversations about the decriminalization of drugs is always important. Thank you to today's experts: Scott Bernstein (@scott_bern) from the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (@CANdrugpolicy), and Caitlin Shane (@caitlin_Ona) from Pivot Legal Society (@pivotlegal).If you like literally any of Decomplicated's episodes, we—(@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)—would LOVE it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Even better, tell a friend about us & y'all can be subbies together. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

"BREAKING": Millennials are forgoing having kids. Well, not all millennials. But many of us are because... of a multitude of reasons. Carol (@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek) talk about this weird obsession the older generation has about us, millennials & Gen Zs, not wanting children. gaspSubtext: people are mad that women are choosing to NOT birth kids. cough but pro-choice, right? coughIf you like literally any of Decomplicated's episodes, we—(@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)—would LOVE it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Even better, tell a friend about us & y'all can be subbies together. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

(CW: Residential school trauma, suicide)Today, Rumneek (@rumneeek) talks to NDP MP Mumilaaq Qaqqaq (@mumilaaqqaqqaq) about pretty buzz words like "reconciliation," the legacy of settler colonialism in Canada, and the connection between  residential schools & the foster care system.If you like literally any of Decomplicated's episodes, we—(@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)—would LOVE it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Even better, tell a friend about us & y'all can be subbies together. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

TGIF! We're switching things up around here. Friday's are officially WTF Friday! Every Friday, we talk about the week's trending WTF stories from that had us doing a double take. From pop culture stories like Korean-American Jay Park, to more Canada-specific stories like Alberta's vaccine lottery. If you like literally any of Decomplicated's episodes, we—(@caroleugenepark) & Rumneek (@rumneeek)—would LOVE it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts! Even better, tell a friend about us & y'all can be subbies together. Psst! We also have a daily newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.decomplicated.com!Follow us on Twitter (@decomplicatedca) & Instagram (@decomplicatednews).

So... this is a goodbye. Today's episode is our last episode of Decomplicated. It's bittersweet but all good things must come to an end. It's been a true privilege and honour to be able to connect with so many different people, and discuss important issues with experts & community leaders. Thank you to everyone who's listened to Decomplicated, even if it was only one episode, or a few seconds. Your listens mean a lot to us, and your support will be something we cherish forever. We're still around, even if we're not producing this podcast. We're on Twitter, so make sure you follow us, @rumneeek & @caroleugenepark & @bbrraaeellaa if you want to know what we're up to. Again, thank you. We love you.R.B.C.